CCA closes Thebarton facility in South Australia

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) has closed its Thebarton facility in South Australia (SA) after producing the last batch of one-litre bottles of Coca-Cola No Sugar from the production line.

Opened in 1952, the facility was completely shut by the company after a two-year transition period.

CCA sales general manager Jarrad Mortimer said: “After 66 years and around ten billion bottles produced, it’s time for this plant to retire. But despite that, we’re here to stay in SA. We’re keeping a local team of more than 150, including in sales, distribution, warehousing, cold drink equipment and IT, plus statewide recycling.

“So we’re proud to have been a big part of South Australian history and equally proud to be a big part of its future. To everyone who’s worked at, or even visited the Thebarton plant, thanks for being on this journey with us, and we look forward to the next era for Coca-Cola Amatil in SA.”

“The wellbeing of our staff is our top priority, and most of those who’ve left have achieved their goals in employment, study or retirement.”

Mortimer added that the company had been a big part of Adelaide history for the last six decades and would retain a strong employment presence in the state.

In 2017, CCA identified that the Thebarton facility had become increasingly constrained and was not suitable for modernisation.

The bottling operations at Thebarton were relocated to new or expanded Amatil facilities in Western Australia and Queensland.

The company also worked closely with all employees during the transition period in order to help them find new work or be redeployed elsewhere.

Mortimer further added: “The wellbeing of our staff is our top priority, and most of those who’ve left have achieved their goals in employment, study or retirement.

“We’ve had good support from the South Australian Government through this process, including financial support through a co-payment to help staff transition to new jobs. That’s paid off with the solid rates of re-employment we’ve seen since February 2017. ”

CCA said it will continue to manufacture beverages in Kewdale, Western Australia; Moorabbin, Victoria; Northmead, New South Wales; and Richlands, Queensland.

The equipment at the Thebarton plant has been or will be moved to facilities across the country.